Dec 31

Dec 31 60 at 60

Like everyone I’m sure, on this last day of 2020 (when this is being written) I’ve been looking back at this bizzare, challenging, frustrating, frightening, absurdly difficult year. But, and I’m also pretty sure I’m not alone in this, reflecting on everything that’s happened in the past tumultuous 12 months, I realise there has has actually been a surprising amount to celebrate and enjoy.

In the year that I turned 60 (in late January, which seems, by the way, both about a million years ago, and just yesterday) I decided I was going to spend 2020 seeking out and collecting 60 new experiences. My ‘60 at 60’ project was going to start my new decade the way I had every hope and intention it would continue.

Well that didn’t exactly work out the way I imagined.

Or did it?

It’s true that the first few experiences on my ‘60 at 60’ list set the bar pretty high. What with paragliding in the Philippines.

Up, up and away. Paragliding in the Philippines at the start of 2020

The brilliant birthday surprise workshop where I learned to do graffiti

and made this promise-to-myself reminder

And another fabulous birthday treat, my surprise present from my wonderful girls - a spectacular day-trip on the beautiful Belmond Pullman

A birthday treat day-trip on the beautiful Belmond Pullman with two of my favourite humans

I enjoyed several tremendous exhibitions, including a fascinating exploration of the history of the kimono. And was awed by the spectacular displays at the annual Orchid Festival at Kew Gardens

I tried my hand at macrame and embroidery at the Life Lessons event

And, even though whispers were growing about a contagious virus emerging in China, I managed to get away for a long weekend in Lisbon with my oldest friend.

By now, I was up to 22 marvellous new experiences on my ‘60 at 60’ list and happily anticipating motoring comfortably to my target by, if not before, the end of the year.

And then……..well, we all know what happened then.

For a difficult, sometimes distressing, while, nothing got added to the list. Getting through the days and adjusting to the life we were all being forced to live, hardly counted as the kinds of new experiences I wanted to record.

During that first, three-month lockdown period, I notched up just five additions to the list, all of them on-line versions of events or gatherings that should have happened in real life, couldn’t, and yet somehow still managed to be both enjoyable and satisfying none-the-less.

The restrictions eased just in time for easily the biggest highlight of the year. The safe arrival of my new little granddaughter

My highlight ‘60 at 60’ moment. Meeting my new granddaughter for the first time

And then just a few gloriously hot weeks later, I was able to get away to Norfolk and enjoy walks on the huge, virtually empty beaches, and exploring the glorious countryside and sights. A reminder of just how much beauty there is to enjoy without having to travel far.

One of Norfolk’s vast, blissfully uncrowdedd beaches

The fabulous weather contributed to more than a few of the experiences that I notched up over the spring and summer, which included swimming in the sea on several occasions, most memorably in Camber Sands where my early morning dip was accompanied by an inquisitive seal. And, for the first time, a wild swim in the River Thames.

Like everyone, I’ve done more walking than ever this year, and whilst that can hardly be counted as a new experience, some of the places I’ve walked in definitely can. Places like the mistily beautiful Chiltern Hills, and Savill Gardens in all its autumnal glory.

Savill Gardens - beautiful at any time of year, but especially magnificent in autumn

Of course, throughout all the months of lockdown and restrictions there has been that wonder - and sometimes, let’s be honest, curse - of technology. Zoom.

As frustrating and infuriating as it is when it doesn’t work, and as exhausting as the screen sessions can be, there’s no denying that it (and the other similar virtual platforms) has become a crucial part of our lives during these strange, cut-off months.

It has certainly facilitated a sizeable chunk of the ‘60 at 60’ entries on my list. Thanks to the power of on-screen connection I ‘attended’ two memorable weddings, several excellent workshops, talks and conferences, ran a number of training and brainstorming sessions, and was one of the hosts for a wonderfully successful Women of the Year event.

The Women of the Year Lunch - which was a virtual tea instead this year

In spite of the constraints of Covid, I managed to do some new volunteering work. I learnt how to make visors for front line health workers and masks for myself and my family and friends.

I baked bread for the first time (cliche I know, but in my defence, it wasn’t sourdough!), and joined in an on-line cook-along.

Now, at the end of a year most definitely like no other, to my surprise my ‘60 at 60’ list has not only been completed, it has overflowed.

The mission I set myself to make this year a memorable one may not have panned out quite as I expected it to - there’s an understatement if ever there was one - but it has triumphantly shown me that no matter how dark and difficult life may be, there are always joys to be found, and enriching, uplifting experiences to be had.